Playing for Kicks (Play Makers Book 5) (49 page)

“Get in line,” she told the bobbling dolls
dryly. “I need to choose between the Rorsch jobs. Then find an
apartment in Portland or move directly into Sean’s house.
Then
maybe I’ll figure out what to do with you guys.”

• • •

As usual, Sean was a good sport about her
absence later that night, assuring her he was enjoying leftovers,
giving him energy to work on the skylight. Maybe even have it ready
for her return on Wednesday.

Unfortunately, she still wasn’t ready to see
him on Wednesday. He would sense her confusion, wouldn’t he? Which
wasn’t fair to him, since he had tried to share more details about
his relationship with Kerrie, but she had stopped him, insisting
she didn’t care.

And she didn’t. Not really.

Kerrie and Sean had been engaged once upon a
time, but it had been a disaster, so they had ended it. Even
Kerrie’s friend Rachel confirmed that version. And he was so much
happier now. Even Tess knew that.

But he almost quit football for her. How
can you compete?
she asked herself as she sat at the bar during
Victoria’s second solo shift on Wednesday night, stirring her Mai
Tai while sending encouraging glances at the novice.

The question made her sit up straighter.
Compete?
That word had never been part of Tess’s vocabulary.
Plus, to the extent there was a competition, Tess had already won.
Hadn’t she?

Except for two things.

The first: Sean probably wouldn’t quit
football for Tess. Not that she would ask him to do so. But still,
their passion didn’t rise to that level. Thank God.

And second? Kerrie was a knockout,
looks-wise. Not because she was objectively prettier than Tess, but
because the chick knew how to dress for success. How to find the
best stylists, the most amazing designers, the perfect makeup
artists. She wouldn’t show up at an NFL literacy event in a
borrowed dress and a ponytail. So why should Tess?

Erica would help her with her clothes, and
she could find shoes on her own. And in the meantime, her kickass
hairdresser Marshelle, who had been trimming her hair for almost
two years, had been begging to add some highlights and layers. Tess
always insisted she preferred her natural look, and didn’t want a
bunch of stray ends interfering with the ponytail.

Maybe for once she should let Marshelle go
wild.

As for her nails and skin? Victoria knew all
the best spas and might even go with her if the timing worked
out.

For the first time since Bam’s
last-piece-of-the-puzzle toast, she felt empowered. She could
do
this. And even though Sean sounded wistful when she
postponed her return for another night, she knew he’d understand
once he saw the results. Because she was going to
kick
Kerrie Cosner’s ass and win the kicker’s heart once and for
all.

• • •

After sleeping with Tess every night the
previous week, Sean was having serious withdrawal during her trip
to Seattle. Her explanations made sense—mentoring Victoria, packing
up the bobble heads, saying good-bye to Ed and Ed and the cats. And
since this was Tess, he knew it could be a final burst of
skittishness too. Sure, she was eating out of his hand these days.
And he was
definitely
eating out of hers. But to make it
permanent? Move in together?

He didn’t blame her for second-guessing that.
Nor for feeling sad over the loss of Zone D.

But he had sensed something different their
last few conversations. Almost enough to make him drive to Seattle.
But she had asked him not to do that. To respect her masquerade as
Colbee and her closeness with the friends she might soon leave
behind.

So he drove to Erica’s house instead. It was
instinct, really. They had been close this way before his affair
with Kerrie. And with Tess in the picture, they hadn’t really
needed each other as confidantes. But she was still the most
insightful person he had ever met. And the most tenderhearted.

She was also Tess’s best friend. Who better
to trust with this?

When she opened the door and leapt into his
arms, he grinned in relief. Apparently nothing had changed.

“It’s so good to see you,” she gushed. “I
feel like it’s been weeks.”

“To me, too,” he admitted.

“Where’s Tess?”

“In Seattle.”

“Again?” Erica rolled her eyes. “Don’t tell
me? It’s her final, final, definitely final shift?” Before he could
respond, she laughed lightly. “It’s for a good cause, right? So if
it takes her a few tries to quit, it’s worth it.” She pulled him by
the hand. “Come on in. Can I get you something? I’m not a pro like
your girlfriend but I pour a mean beer.”

“I’m good. Just lonely. And I figured you
might be too, since John’s at the hospital visiting Will Jackson. I
stopped there earlier myself.”

Her eyes twinkled. “Remember that puzzle I
brought on the plane? I still haven’t made any progress.”

“Bring it on.”

She disappeared down the hall, then brought
the box and spread the pieces on the dining table. “It’s a simple
one, so we can get it done fast. Johnny still doesn’t see the
appeal. Thank God you get it.”

“He’s missing out.”

She smiled. “And you’re missing Tess? That’s
so romantic, Sean.”

“Have you talked to her this week?”

“Every day without fail. It’s a moo-moo here,
and a neigh-neigh there, you know.”

“Huh?”

She giggled. “She sings “Old MacDonald” to
the baby. It’s adorable.”

Charmed, he had to force himself back on
topic. “So she sounded okay to you?”

Erica’s radar activated. “Did you guys have a
fight?”

“No. It’s all good. But she spent every night
last week at my place. Now suddenly, she’s gone three nights in a
row. So I thought I’d check.”

“Three nights? You mean . . .” Erica
hesitated as if doing the math. “She worked on Monday. Are you
saying she hasn’t been home since?”

“Right.”

She coughed lightly. “We haven’t actually
talked much. But she sounds happy. And we’re shopping for dresses
on Friday. So she’ll be back then for sure.”

“Good.” He flashed an apologetic smile. “She
has a lot on her mind, so I get it. I just wanted to be sure I
didn’t screw something up.”

“The last thing she said to me about
you
was she can’t resist you. So I think you’re fine.” Erica
pursed her lips. “Maybe she’s nostalgic about bartending. She did
it for six years, right? Three in Hawaii, three at Zone D. I’ll bet
that’s it.”

He nodded, joined up a few edge pieces, then
tried for a casual voice. “Or it’s Rorsch.”

“Hmm?”

“He really messed with her head, you know.
And moving to a different town—away from her Seattle friends—is a
big deal, too. So it’s a lot on her plate.”

“She keeps joking she’d rather be the baby’s
nanny than my assistant. Do you think she means that?”

He chuckled. “It wouldn’t surprise me.”

“Except I want to be the nanny myself,” she
admitted sheepishly.

“Seriously?”

She nodded. “I always thought I’d stay home
for six or eight weeks. Now? If advertising wasn’t so cutthroat,
I’d work half-time the whole first year. From
home.”

“Do it, babe,” he urged. “Rorsch and Caldwell
will adjust. And John’ll be home full-time the first five or six
months. Me too if you need me. So even if the kid never sleeps,
we’re on it.”

“This is why Tess can’t resist you,” Erica
said, her eyes glistening with tears. “You’re always so positive.
Especially these days. So please don’t worry.”

“I’m not worried. I just don’t want to be
clueless. Not with her.” He stood and pulled Erica into a
reassuring embrace. “I can’t believe you’re crying. Hormones,
right? It’s hilarious.”

She laughed through her tears. “You should
visit more often. I love the others, but you and me?”

“Yeah,” he agreed. “We’re the best.”

She sighed happily, then they sat back down,
their expressions determined. They were definitely going to finish
this puzzle before the night was through.

• • •

For four hours, Tess’s hairdresser worked
steadily while fielding concerns and occasional panic by assuring
her it only
seemed
like she was cutting a lot off. And the
aluminum foil laced with chemicals all over her head? Marshelle
insisted it only affected a few strands here and there.

Still, Tess could barely watch until finally
the clearly lightened hair was being blown into its new style.

“What do you think?” Marshelle demanded as
her co-workers gathered around to gush over the transformation.

Tess drew back in confusion. “I look like my
sister.”

“She must be beautiful,” the stylist said
with an exaggerated sigh.

“She is. It’s—well, it’s amazing. Wow.”

The new highlights in her naturally dark
blonde hair were subtle but added a spark when combined with the
layering. To Tess’s relief the overall length was unchanged. If
anything, it seemed like more hair than ever before.

“Are you sure it won’t look ragged in a
ponytail?”

“Forget the ponytail,” the hairdresser
huffed. Then she opened a drawer, found an elastic band, and pulled
it all back into a tight do.

“Satisfied?”

Tess nodded. Then she pulled the band free
and scrambled out of the chair. “I love it. You’re a miracle
worker.”

They hugged, then Marshelle reminded her,
“You promised you’d think about growing out the bangs. I feathered
them, but it would be so much prettier if we could just sweep them
aside.”

“Let me get used to this first.” She walked
over to a full-length mirror and was again humbled by how much she
looked like Jill. Still an inch or two inches shorter and not quite
as slim, but it didn’t seem to matter. Even in shorts and a tank
top, the resemblance was eerie. And with the right makeup, it would
be even stronger.

Marshelle’s huge eyes filled with tears.
“Look
at you, Colbee. You’re an effing angel. Not just the
hair. But whatever they did at that spa worked wonders with your
skin. And your nails are perfect. Promise us you’ll take a photo in
the fancy dress so we can see the full effect.”

Tess gave her another, warmer hug. “I’ll
definitely send you a picture. And one to my sister too. She’s been
begging me to do this for years. And I guess she’s been right all
along.”

• • •

She decided to skip Victoria’s third shift
and just crawl into bed early, not just because she was honestly
wiped out, but because there might be regulars at Zone D who would
find Colbee’s new look distracting, thus drawing focus away from
the new bartender. Technically she could have driven back to Sean’s
place, but she still wasn’t quite ready for that.

To her relief, he didn’t ask many questions
when she called him that night, and sounded surprisingly chipper as
he reported that the skylight was in place and looked great. All it
needed was some finishing work.

“I can’t wait to see it,” she assured
him.

“You sound tired, babe. Is everything
okay?”

“Packing bobble heads is harder than it
sounds. But they’re finally all boxed up. So are my books and DVDs
and all the linens and cookware. Now I just need to throw my
clothes into suitcases and I’m done, since I’m leaving the
furniture behind.”

“Huh?”

“I bought it at Goodwill so it’s hopelessly
mismatched. And this way, Ed can rent the place as a furnished
studio.”

“So you’re moving right away?” he asked
warily.

“Yes, Sean. Whatever else happens, tonight
will be my last night as a resident of Seattle.”

He was silent for a moment, then said, “Man,
Tess, this is such great news.”

She could hear the unspoken question and
wanted to assure him she would move straight to his house if he
still wanted her. But for some reason, the words wouldn’t come. So
she settled for saying, “My eight weeks of freeloading at the
Ashton end this Tuesday, so I need to decide on a place by then. I
can come back to Zone D for the party, but otherwise, I’m outta
here. Plus . . .” Her voice caught in her throat. “I’ve missed
you, Sean.”

“Yeah, I’ve missed you too.” He coughed, then
added cheerfully, “So you’re shopping with Erica for a few hours?
Then you’re all mine? I’ll take that deal.”

“Me too. Sweet dreams, Romeo. I can’t wait to
see you again.”

Ending the call quickly, she slipped off the
bed and wandered to the mirror for the tenth time that night, still
a bit freaked by the new look. Not that the change was drastic.
Just a healthy dose of poise.

Like Jill. And Erica. Victoria. Rachel.

Kerrie.

“Ugh, stop comparing yourself to other
women,” she warned herself in disgust. “You’re trying to be
classier
. Not bitchier.”

The scare tactic worked, and she climbed back
into bed after one last look around. It wasn’t just the new hair
that was freaking her out. It was
this
—her life in boxes,
most of them destined for storage. She had been planning this for
months, long before she met Sean. But maybe she would have gotten
cold feet if she hadn’t met him. Hadn’t heard about his
star-crossed affair with his coach’s wife. Never met Bam and his
backhanded compliments. Or Rorsch and his creepy Hobson’s
choice.

Oh, my God, just stop already,
she
told herself harshly.
Tomorrow you’ll find the perfect dress.
Then you and Sean can see a sci-fi movie and make out like the old
days. And everything will be fine.

• • •

Erica had a lunch meeting before she could
take the afternoon off, so they met at one thirty in front of a
converted warehouse where her favorite dress shop was located. Tess
had considered putting her hair into a ponytail so the new look
wouldn’t be so dramatic, but opted to surprise her friend instead.
She even wore a gauzy blue sundress and medium-heeled sandals to
emphasize the conversion from slouch to glamour girl.